Pivot device for a navigation light

ABSTRACT

A device for pivoting a navigation light and methods that use the device can include a mount assembly with an attachment for attaching the device to a structure. A pivot assembly can be supported by the mount assembly, with the pivot assembly mechanically coupled to a drive element such that a drive of the drive element pivots a navigation light to one or more operating, service, or hold positions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/748,496 entitled “PIVOT DEVICE FOR ANAVIGATION LIGHT” filed on Oct. 21, 2018, which is expresslyincorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A navigation light is a specific type of light that can be attached to astructure and used as a marine signal light for marking a center channelor channel margin of a waterway. Conventional navigation lights oftenuse a swivel to allow the navigation light to be moved from a normaloperating position to a service position in which a light assembly canbe serviced or a lamp can be replaced. A retrieval chain attached to thenavigation light facilitates an operator to raise and lower the light.Navigation lights can be unwieldy to raise, lower, and secure inposition.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of a device and method for pivoting a navigationlight are described. In one embodiment, a device for pivoting anavigation light includes a mount assembly with an attachment forattaching the device to a structure. The device can include a driveassembly with a drive element. The device can also include a pivotassembly mechanically coupled to the drive element such that a drive ofthe drive element pivots a navigation light to an operating position, aservice position, or one or more hold position. The drive element can bedriven, for example, by a motor-driven tool.

The pivot assembly can include gears that are mechanically coupled toprovide a braking function to secure the navigation light. For example,the drive assembly can include a worm gear in contact with a worm gearmodification gear of the pivot assembly. In some embodiments, a gearratio between the worm gear and the worm gear modification gear providesthe braking function. The pivot assembly can also include a teeconfigured to connect to a navigation light or a counterweight that canoffset a portion of a weight of the navigation light.

In other embodiments, a device for pivoting a navigation light includesa mount assembly with a cover. The device can include a pivot assemblyhaving a gear that is mechanically coupled to an adaptor, where theadaptor is supported by the cover to allow the adaptor to rotate about arotational center of the gear. In some examples, the adaptor connects toa tee having a first end sized and shaped to receive and secure thenavigation light and a second end sized and shaped to receive and securea counterweight.

The device can include a drive assembly having a drive elementmechanically coupled to a worm gear, where a drive of the drive elementpivots a navigation light to one or more operating, service, or holdposition(s). In some aspects, a counterclockwise drive of the driveelement pivots the navigation light in a first direction and a clockwisedrive of the drive element pivots the navigation light in a seconddirection.

The device can include a shaft mechanically coupled to the drive elementand the worm gear. The gear and the worm gear can be mechanicallycoupled to provide a braking function to secure the navigation light.Also, a spacer can be coupled between the adaptor and the gear. Thedevice can also include a top enclosure that encloses the drive element.In some examples, a lockable hasp (or at least a portion of the lockablehasp) extends through the top enclosure of the device.

In another embodiment, a method of pivoting a navigation light caninclude attaching a mount assembly to a structure, and mechanicallycoupling a pivot assembly to a drive element such that a drive of thedrive element can pivot a navigation light to at least one of: anoperating position, a service position, or a hold position. The methodcan include the hold position being between 90 degrees and 180 degreesfrom a horizontal surface of the structure.

In some aspects of the method, providing a counterclockwise drive to thedrive element can pivot the navigation light to the at least one of theservice position or the hold position, and providing a clockwise driveto the drive element to pivot the navigation light to the operatingposition. In other aspects, providing a clockwise drive to the driveelement to pivot the navigation light to the at least one of the serviceposition or the hold position, and providing a counterclockwise drive tothe f to pivot the navigation light to the operating position.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

In addition, all optional and preferred features and modifications ofthe described embodiments are usable in all aspects of the entiredisclosure taught herein. Furthermore, the individual features of thedependent claims, as well as all optional and preferred features andmodifications of the described embodiments are combinable andinterchangeable with one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasisinstead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of thepresent disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 illustrates problems associated with raising and lowering anavigation light using traditional methods and devices.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a device for pivoting a navigationlight, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a device for pivoting a navigationlight, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example view of a detail B-B of the device of FIG.3 for pivoting a navigation light, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view that includes an example of a pivot assemblyof a device for pivoting a navigation light, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating one example method for pivoting anavigation light, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a device for pivoting a navigationlight in a service or hold position, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B illustrates another example of a device for pivoting anavigation light in a service or hold position, in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Navigation lights can be attached to a structure and used as a marinesignal light for marking a center channel or channel margin of awaterway. A navigation light can include a lamp inside a housingdesigned to protect the lamp and to provide access so the lamp can beserviced. Lamps and housings can be difficult to service in theoperating position due to the navigation light being unwieldy. A swivelcan allow an operator to raise and/or lower the navigation light forservice, but it is not a solution to the problem of easily pivoting anavigation light toward an operating or service position, or securingthe navigation light once the position has been reached. In someinstallations for example, an operator may have to provide more thanthirty pounds of force to the retrieval chain to raise and/or lower thenavigation light.

The present application relates to a pivot device that can be attachedto a structure and used to suspend a navigation light below a platformof the structure. The device provides an alternative to conventionalnavigation lights, conventional swivels for navigation lights,conventional latches for securing navigation lights, and methods ofraising and lowering a navigation light. In contrast to conventionalswivels, the device described herein provides a power assist tofacilitate raising and lowering a navigation light. The device describedherein can be used to allow an operator to easily position a navigationlight in various positions, including but not limited to, operatingposition, service position, and various hold positions. The device cansecure the light in position.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates problems associated withraising and lowering a navigation light using traditional methods anddevices. The swing arm assembly 100 includes a lamp fixture 102 that isattached to a structure 104 and suspended from a swivel component 106 ona galvanized pipe. The swing arm assembly 100 can include aweather-tight assembly that provides for all wiring to be completelycontained inside the assembly. A retrieval chain 108 facilitates raisingand lowering the swing arm assembly 100 for service. The retrieval chain108 depicted is eight feet long.

The swing arm assembly 100 as depicted in FIG. 1 is in an operatingposition. The swing arm assembly 100 can be moved into a serviceposition, such as to allow the lamp fixture 102 to be maintained or alamp within the lamp fixture 102 to be replaced. Maintenance andre-lamping can be accomplished from a platform of the structure 104 byan operator pulling on the retrieval chain 108, allowing the lampfixture 102 to swivel about the swivel component 106. As the lampfixture 102 is raised, a latch can be manually engaged to hold the lampfixture 102 in a service position. Such an operation has many problemsincluding that the swing arm assembly 100 can be unwieldy to raise,lower, and secure in position.

Referring now to FIG. 2, shown is an example of a device 200 forpivoting a navigation light. As depicted, the example device 200includes a mount assembly 202, a pivot assembly 204, a drive assembly206, and other components that will be described in further detailbelow.

In some embodiments, the mount assembly 202 can include a triangularmount, a standoff element, a mount plate, or other attachment forattaching the device 200 to a bridge or other structure 104. The mountassembly 202 can also include various other components, such ascomponents to enclose, mount, receive, or support members of the pivotassembly 204. Adaptors, shafts, and other members of the pivot assembly204 can be received and supported by component(s) of the mount assembly202.

The pivot assembly 204 can include one or more discs, adaptors, gears,or other members that are coaxially aligned and mechanically coupled torotate about a common rotational center. The drive assembly 206 caninclude a drive element that is configured to be driven by amotor-driven tool such as a cordless drill or air ratchet wrench. Thepivot assembly 204 can be mechanically coupled to the drive element suchthat a drive of the drive element pivots the navigation light 21 to oneor more operating, service, or hold position(s). The navigation light 21can include a lamp assembly (not depicted) and a pipe of size andstrength to suspend the navigation light 21 away from a rotationalcenter of the pivot assembly 204.

For example, the pivot assembly 204 can include a gear and a tee thatare coaxially aligned to rotate about a rotational center of the gear.The drive assembly 206 can include a drive element, a drive shaft, aworm gear, and any other component as can be appreciated. The driveshaft can be mechanically coupled to the drive element and the wormgear. The worm gear of the drive assembly 206 can be mechanicallycoupled to the gear of the pivot assembly 204 to allow the pivotassembly 204 to pivot the navigation light 21 to one or more operating,service, or hold position(s).

The pivot assembly 204 is also configured to be connected to anavigation light 21, and in some cases, to be connected to acounterweight 20. With reference to an operating position of thenavigation light 21, the device 200 is configured to suspend thenavigation light 21 below an outermost edge of the structure so thenavigation light 21 is visible to approaching vessels. A drive of thedrive element can rotate the worm gear of the pivot assembly 204 andcause the navigation light 21 to pivot from its operating position to aservice or hold position. Drive of the drive element be accomplishedfrom a bridge deck, sidewalk, or other platform of the structure 104.

Moving on, FIG. 3 depicts an example of a device 200 for pivoting anavigation light 21. FIG. 3 can also be seen as depicting furtherexamples of the mount assembly 202, the pivot assembly 204, and thedrive assembly 206 of FIG. 2.

The mount assembly 202 (FIG. 2) can include a mount plate 1 that canattach the device 200 to a structure 104. The mount assembly 202 (FIG.2) can also include a sleeve bearing 3, thrust bearing 4, cover 5, pipespacer 8, pipe support 10, drive mount bracket 11, pipe clamp 16, ajunction box 17, and/or other components as further described below.

The pivot assembly 204 (FIG. 2) can include a worm gear modificationgear 12 and a tee 19 that are coaxially aligned to rotate about arotational center of the worm gear modification gear 12. The pivotassembly 204 (FIG. 2) can also include an adaptor 2, worm gear spacer13, close nipple 18, counterweight 20, a navigation light 21, and/orother components as further described below.

The drive assembly 206 (FIG. 2) can include a flange nut 34 or otherdrive element that can be driven, for example, by a motor-driven tool.The drive assembly 206 (FIG. 2) can also include a pipe cap 6, brakepipe 7, drive shaft 9, key 14, upper seal 15, hasp assembly 32, topenclosure 33, shaft collar 35, press fit drill bushing(s) 1 a, worm gear37, sleeve bearing 40, or second thrust bearing 41, as further describedbelow and additionally with reference to FIG. 4. The device 200 can alsoinclude various washers, nuts, bolts, screws, bushings, and otherfasteners 1 a as can be appreciated.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the flange nut 34 is mechanically coupled toa worm gear 37 (FIG. 4). The worm gear 37 (FIG. 4) is mechanicallycoupled to the worm gear modification gear 12 and attached to a journalof the drive shaft 9 (FIG. 4). The worm gear modification gear 12 canconvert a torque and cause rotation of the tee 19. The example device200 can also include a navigation light 21 connected to the tee 19.Rotation of the flange nut 34, such as with a motor-driven tool, canpivot the navigation light 21 from an operating position to a service orhold position.

Embodiments of the device 200 can use a 40:1 gear ratio to provide abraking function to secure the navigation light 21 in position,including but not limited to, an operating position, a service position,and one or more hold positions. The navigation light 21 can be pivotedto one or more operating, service, or hold position(s) by rotating thedrive shaft 9 (FIG. 4) in either a counterclockwise or a clockwisedirection.

The mount plate 1 can secure the device 200 into position such as belowa platform of a bridge or other structure 104. Applying a torque to theflange nut 34 can cause rotation of the drive shaft 9 (FIG. 4). Thepivot assembly 204 (FIG. 2) is connected to the drive shaft 9 (FIG. 4)to allow drive of the drive shaft 9 (FIG. 4) to rotate the tee 19. Whilethe example device 200 as depicted in FIG. 3 includes the counterweight20 and the navigation light 21, in some embodiments the device 200 canoperate without the counterweight 20 (or the navigation light 21)connected to the tee 19.

The pipe spacer 8 spaces the brake pipe 7 from the mount plate 1, and isattached to a pipe clamp 16 that secures the brake pipe 7 in position.As mentioned previously, the pipe support 10 can support the brake pipe7. The pipe support 10 is attached to the junction box 17. The junctionbox 17 is also attached to the mount plate 1 and encases components ofthe pivot assembly 204 or the drive assembly 206.

The junction box 17 receives the drive shaft 9 (FIG. 4) through anopening of the junction box 17 (FIG. 4). The junction box 17 can alsoinclude a cover 5 that is removably attached to the junction box 17 toallow servicing of the components within the junction box 17. Thejunction box 17 can be made out of any suitable material, such as, forexample, solid bronze or aluminum.

The device 200 includes a top enclosure 33 that can enclose one or moreof the pipe cap 6, the flange nut 34, and a portion of the hasp assembly32. The hasp assembly 32 can include a lockable fastener, such as ahasp, that allows locking the device 200 to prevent unwanted operationof the device 200. The pipe cap 6 covers an end of the brake pipe 7 andaccepts the drive shaft 9 (FIG. 4), or the flange nut 34, through anopening in the pipe cap 6. The upper seal 15 is disposed to contact theopening of the brake pipe 7 and the drive shaft 9 (FIG. 4) to protectthe opening and the drive shaft 9 (FIG. 4) from weather and unwantedelements. The drive shaft 9 (FIG. 4) is coupled to the flange nut 34allowing a rotation of the flange nut 34 to rotate the drive shaft 9(FIG. 4). The drive shaft 9 (FIG. 4) exits through the top enclosure 33and is encased by the brake pipe 7.

The worm gear spacer 13 spaces the worm gear modification gear 12 fromthe adaptor 2 and secures the worm gear modification gear 12 to thejunction box 17. The worm gear modification gear 12 can transfer drivefrom the journal of the drive shaft 9 (FIG. 4) to the adaptor 2 and/orthe tee 19. The worm gear modification gear 12 can also include variouscomponents including spacers, bushings, and shaft collars. The driveshaft 9 (FIG. 4) can include a keyway and a key 14 to maintain properpositioning of the worm gear 37 (FIG. 4). An end of the adaptor 2 isreceived and supported by the sleeve bearing 3 which holds the adaptor 2in place. One or more first thrust bearing(s) 4 permit rotation betweenthe adaptor 2 and the cover 5, or the adaptor 2 and the worm gear spacer13, while supporting a high axial load (parallel to the close nipple18).

A shaft of the worm gear modification gear 12 is mechanically coupled tothe adaptor 2. The adaptor 2 is mounted for rotation in a sleeve bearing3 which is mounted within the cover 5. A journal of the drive shaft 9(FIG. 4) applies rotational power via the worm gear modification gear 12to the close nipple 18. The close nipple 18 is attached to the adaptor 2and mechanically connects the shaft of the worm gear modification gear12 and the tee 19.

The tee 19 is configured to receive one or more attachments. Forexample, FIG. 3 depicts a counterweight 20 and a navigation light 21attached to the tee 19. The tee 19 is attached to the close nipple 18,and as such can experience a force applied to the close nipple 18 by theshaft of the worm gear modification gear 12.

The navigation light 21 can include a pipe of a size and strength tosuspend a lamp of the navigation light 21 at a length as measured from arotational center of the worm gear modification gear 12 to a focal planeof a lens of the lamp. For example, the length from the rotationalcenter of the worm gear modification gear 12 to the focal plane of thelens can be 6 foot 3 inches, 4 foot 10 inches, 5 foot 2 inches, oranother length as can be appreciated. The counterweight 20 can include apipe of size and strength for suspending one or more weights (not shown)from the rotational center of the worm gear modification gear 12. Theone or more weights can be sufficient to offset a weight of thenavigation light 21 while the navigation light 21 is being pivotedtoward a service, operating, or hold position.

Referring now to FIG. 4, shown is an example view of a detail B-B of adevice 200 for pivoting a navigation light 21 (FIG. 3). The pipe support10 attaches to the junction box 17 to support the brake pipe 7 (FIG. 3)and align the worm gear 37 with the worm gear modification gear 12. Thekey 14 fits between the worm gear 37 and the drive shaft 9 to prevent arelative rotation and to enable a torque transmission to occur. The wormgear 37 can be mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 9 and the key 14using press fit drill bushings or other fasteners 1 a. The second thrustbearing 41 permits rotation between the fastener 1 a and the shaftcollar 35, or the fastener 1 a and the drive mount bracket 11 and/or thesleeve bearing 40.

As depicted, the worm gear 37 includes a shaft with a spiral thread thatengages with and drives the worm gear modification gear 12. The wormgear 37 can include any suitable gear such as, for example, a bevelgear, a spiral bevel gear, a hypoid gear, a crown gear, or other gearthat can transfer drive 90 degrees to the worm gear modification gear12. The worm gear 37 can also receive a force from the worm gearmodification gear 12 to prevent the drive shaft 9 from rotating. Thereis a braking effect so that the worm gear 37 will not drive the wormgear modification gear 12 without a force being applied to the flangenut 34. For example, in some embodiments, the worm gear 37 and the wormgear modification gear 12 can together achieve a total gear ratio ofabout 40:1 and provide for sufficient braking effect to reduce thepossibility of the drive shaft 9, or the worm gear modification gear 12,rotating without a force being applied to the flange nut 34.

In FIG. 5, an example view that includes a pivot assembly 204 of adevice 200 for pivoting a navigation light 21 is shown. The pivotassembly 204 can include a worm gear modification gear 12 and a tee 19that are coaxially aligned to rotate about a rotational center of theworm gear modification gear 12. The pivot assembly 204 can also includean adaptor 2, worm gear spacer 13, close nipple 18, and/or othercomponents as can be appreciated. In some embodiments, the device 200can include a counterweight 20 or a navigation light 21.

Referring now to FIG. 6, depicted is a flowchart illustrating an exampleof a method 600 of pivoting a navigation light 21. Although the method600 is described below as being conducted using the device 200 shown inFIGS. 2-5, other devices similar to the device 200 can be used. A method600 begins at step 603 by attaching an attachment such as a mount plate1, other element of the mount assembly 202, or other element of thedevice 200 to a structure 104. The method 600 continues at step 606 bysupporting a pivot assembly 204 with the mount assembly 202 such thatthe pivot assembly 204 can pivot the navigation light 21 to one or moreoperating, service, or hold position(s).

The method 600 continues at step 609 by mechanically coupling the pivotassembly 204 to a flange nut 34 or other drive element of the driveassembly 206. Thereafter the method can end. Additionally, the methodcan continue to step 612.

At step 612, the method 600 can include applying a motor-driven tool 36to the flange nut 34 (or other element of the device 200) to cause thenavigation light 21 to pivot. The method 600 can also include attachinga counterweight 20 and the navigation light 21 to the device 200.Thereafter the method can end.

FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a device 200 for pivoting a navigationlight 21 in a service or hold position. FIG. 7A depicts the device 200in a position where the counterweight 20 is above the navigation light21 and able to offset at least a portion of the weight of the navigationlight 21. An operator can apply a force to the flange nut 34 using amotor-driven tool 36. In some embodiments, the motor-driven tool 36 canbe a power drill driver with a ¾″ socket to provide for a power assistedpivoting of the navigation light 21. The flange nut 34 can be configuredto be rotated in a forward or clockwise direction by the motor-driventool 36. As the force is applied to the flange nut 34, the flange nut 34drives the drive shaft 9 (FIG. 4) and the worm gear 37 to provide toprovide for a power assisted pivoting of the navigation light 21. Theworm gear 37 (FIG. 4) applies rotational power via the worm gearmodification gear 12 (FIG. 3) to the close nipple 18 (FIG. 3). As aresult of the drive, the tee 19 has rotated to pivot the navigationlight 21 from an operating position toward a service position or holdposition.

Turning now to FIG. 7B, shown is another example of a device forpivoting a navigation light 21 in a service or hold position. FIG. 7Bdepicts the device 200 in a position where the counterweight 20 is belowthe navigation light 21. An operator can apply a force to the flange nut34 using a motor-driven tool 36 to provide for a power assisted pivotingof the navigation light 21. The motor-driven tool 36 can cause theflange nut 34 to rotate in a forward or clockwise direction, which cancause the drive shaft 9 (FIG. 4) to rotate, and the navigation light 21to pivot, or raise, in a counter-clockwise direction toward the serviceor hold position. From the service or hold position, the navigationlight 21 can be pivoted, or lowered, back to its operating position byrotating the drive shaft in a counterclockwise direction or bycontinuing to rotate the drive shaft in a clockwise direction.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations setforth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure.Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-describedembodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andprotected by the following claims. In addition, all optional andpreferred features and modifications of the described embodiments anddependent claims are usable in all aspects of the disclosure taughtherein. Furthermore, the individual features of the dependent claims, aswell as all optional and preferred features and modifications of thedescribed embodiments are combinable and interchangeable with oneanother.

The device 200 can be formed from any suitable type(s) of materials tomeet or exceed U.S. Coast Guard Bridge Administration GeneralConstruction Requirements and/or other design specifications. The device200 can be assembled by hand, or by machine, from aluminum or bronzecastings combined with stainless steel hardware, from galvanized steel,or in other ways as can be appreciated. Because the device 200 can beconfigured to raise or lower a light in a marine environment, they caninclude gaskets and o-rings to provide a weather-tight assembly. Also,the device 200 can be represented by a BIMobject® object information orfile that can be manipulated by a computer-aided design program.

Although embodiments have been described herein in detail, thedescriptions are by way of example. The features of the embodimentsdescribed herein are representative and, in alternative embodiments,certain features and elements may be added or omitted. Additionally,modifications to aspects of the embodiments described herein may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention defined in the following claims, the scope ofwhich are to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompassmodifications and equivalent structures.

Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may beeither X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z).Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and shouldnot, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at leastone of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.

The term “substantially” is meant to permit deviations from thedescriptive term that don't negatively impact the intended purpose.Descriptive terms are implicitly understood to be modified by the wordsubstantially, even if the term is not explicitly modified by the wordsubstantially.

It should be noted that ratios, concentrations, amounts, and othernumerical data may be expressed herein in a range format. It is to beunderstood that such a range format is used for convenience and brevity,and thus, should be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not onlythe numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, butalso to include all the individual numerical values or sub-rangesencompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-rangeis explicitly recited. To illustrate, a concentration range of “about0.1% to about 5%” should be interpreted to include not only theexplicitly recited concentration of about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %, butalso include individual concentrations (e.g., 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) andthe sub-ranges (e.g., 0.5%, 1.1%, 2.2%, 3.3%, and 4.4%) within theindicated range. The term “about” can include traditional roundingaccording to significant figures of numerical values. In addition, thephrase “about ‘x’ to ‘y’” includes “about ‘x’ to about ‘y’”.

Therefore, the following is claimed:
 1. A device for pivoting anavigation light, comprising: a mount assembly comprising an attachmentfor attaching the device to a structure; a drive assembly comprising adrive element; and a pivot assembly supported by the mount assembly, thepivot assembly mechanically coupled to the drive element such that adrive of the drive element pivots a navigation light to at least one of:an operating position, a service position, or a hold position.
 2. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical coupling of thepivot assembly to the drive element comprises a plurality of gears thatare mechanically coupled to provide a braking function to secure thenavigation light.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the driveassembly further comprises a worm gear mechanically coupled to a wormgear modification gear of the pivot assembly.
 4. The device according toclaim 3, wherein a gear ratio between the worm gear and the worm gearmodification gear provides a braking function to secure the navigationlight.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the drive element isconfigured to be driven by a motor-driven tool.
 6. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the pivot assembly further comprises a teeconfigured to connect to the navigation light.
 7. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the pivot assembly further comprises a counterweightthat offsets at least a portion of a weight of the navigation light inthe at least one of: the service position or the hold position.
 8. Adevice for pivoting a navigation light, comprising: a mount assemblycomprising a cover; a pivot assembly comprising a gear mechanicallycoupled to an adaptor, the adaptor supported by the cover to allow theadaptor to rotate about a rotational center of the gear; and a driveassembly comprising a drive element mechanically coupled to a worm gear,the worm gear mechanically coupled to the gear to allow the pivotassembly to pivot a navigation light to at least one of: an operatingposition, a service position, or a hold position in response to a driveof the drive element.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein theadaptor connects to a tee having a first end sized and shaped to receiveand secure the navigation light and a second end sized and shaped toreceive and secure a counterweight.
 10. The device according to claim 8,wherein a counterclockwise drive of the drive element pivots thenavigation light in a first pivot direction and a clockwise drive of thedrive element pivots the navigation light in a second pivot direction.11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the drive element ismechanically coupled to the worm gear by a shaft.
 12. The deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein a spacer is positioned between the adaptorand the gear.
 13. The device according to claim 8, further comprising atop enclosure that encloses the drive element.
 14. The device accordingto claim 13, wherein a lockable fastener extends through the topenclosure.
 15. The device according to claim 8, wherein the mechanicalcoupling of the gear and the worm gear provide a braking function tosecure the navigation light.
 16. A method of pivoting a navigationlight, comprising: attaching a mount assembly to a structure; supportinga pivot assembly with the mount assembly; and mechanically coupling thepivot assembly to a drive element such that a drive of the drive elementcauses the navigation light to pivot to at least one of: an operatingposition, a service position, or a hold position.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the hold position is between about 90 degrees andabout 180 degrees from a horizontal surface of the structure.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising providing a counterclockwisedrive to the drive element to pivot the navigation light to the at leastone of the service position or the hold position, and providing aclockwise drive to the drive element to pivot the navigation light tothe operating position.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprisingproviding a clockwise drive to the drive element to pivot the navigationlight to the at least one of the service position or the hold position,and providing a counterclockwise drive to the drive element to pivot thenavigation light to the operating position.
 20. The method of claim 16,further comprising enclosing the drive element in an enclosure.